EpiC Project Description:

The Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project (2019–2027), a global project funded by the U.S. Government, provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control among at-risk and vulnerable populations and strengthen global health security (GHS), including COVID-19 response.

EpiC Kazakhstan is expanding its technical scope to include GHS, recognizing its critical role in strengthening capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases threats in alignment with national and USG priorities. In line with this, we are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Diagnostics and Laboratory Advisor for GHS. The position is open to Kazakh residents and will be based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

REPORTS TO: Diagnostics and Laboratory Advisor

Position Summary:

The EpiC Kazakhstan Diagnostics and Laboratory Specialist for GHS will be supporting the Diagnostics and Laboratory Advisor in implementing all the laboratory diagnostic network strengthening activities of the GHS project in the country; including providing technical inputs to the annual country work plan, providing technical support to the Ministry of Health, and its structural divisions on developing and/or updating guidelines, SOPs, for specimen transportation. S/he takes a lead on planning and implementing activities to improve quality and performance of laboratory services. The Laboratory Specialist will also be responsible for participation in technical thought leadership both at the regional and country level.

The technical responsibilities listed below may be adjusted based on the activities approved in the final project workplan.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Provide technical input and guidance for the laboratory and diagnostics components of the project in coordination with other technical areas;
• Consolidate data from recent laboratory assessments and conduct rapid assessments when needed to identify gaps and define priorities for strengthening public health laboratory services;
• Use assessment findings to support in development of a roadmap for strengthening public health laboratory services, validating proposed activities, and evaluating the impact of EpiC interventions;
• Review, update, and adapt laboratory referral SOPs/guidance and specimen transport procedures to meet region-specific needs;
• Support the development, implementation, and delivery of training and mentoring programs for regional, reference, and academic institution of laboratory staff based on updated guidelines and SOPs;
• Strengthen accreditation of readiness and quality assurance systems at regional laboratories, including support for continuous improvement processes;
• Provide onsite and on-the-job technical assistance to laboratories as part of broader laboratory system capacity-building efforts across human, animal, and environmental health sectors;
• Work closely with national counterparts and partners to support national objectives, including developing and updating guidelines, SOPs, and specimen transport systems for the laboratory diagnostic network;
• Provide expert advice and support in preparing training materials, SOPs, and other technical documents;
• Coordinate and support the selection, procurement, distribution, and maintenance of laboratory supplies and instruments for training and service delivery needs;
• Provide technical and coordination support for planning and conducting meetings, workshops; and training sessions with local partners;
• Collaborate with project management and technical teams to develop work plans; presentations, and reports, and represent the project as required;
• Conduct collecting and entering in DHIS2;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualification requirements:

• Bachelor”s degree in microbiology or laboratory sciences, or its international equivalent, in biological sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty. Master’s degree is preferred.
• 4+ years’ experience working with infectious disease diagnostics and/or laboratory systems strengthening.
• Proven experience in laboratory quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity and audits or at least four years of work experience in a laboratory specialist position required.
• Demonstrated ability and aptitude to perform quality assurance, laboratory audits and assessments against accepted national and international standards and regulations.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated experience in training and mentoring staff and others.
• Proven experience working with government officials, particularly the Ministry of Health is highly desirable, to support the development of strategy/policy or guidelines.
• Experience in international organizations is preferred.
• Kazakh and Russian language fluency required; English fluency preferred.

Travel Requirement:

• 20%, mostly within the Kazakhstan

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

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